Dafna's+Page


 * Dafna**
 * Technology in the Classroom.**
 * Tech Assignment #2**

I feel rather silly posting this for the whole class, because for most of the class these are not new resources!

Goal: I want to find other ways for the students to interact with the text through technology.
 * Assignment # 2** is based on Assignment #1. I posted Assignment #1 below.

I would like to use the **Smartboard** in a way that the students can interact with the text.
 * Assignment #1**.

My idea is to put a line of text in the middle of the board. The text would be in Hebrew and could be a pasuk from Tanach, Mishna, or Talmud, depending on the class. Hevrutot would first receive below chart. Hevrutot would work on this and then each hevruta would come to the Smartboard and insert their translation, explanations and links. We would discuss it and save it.


 * Option #1: Smartboard**



__**Assignment #2**__:

(See above Smartboard layout)
 * Option 2: Googledocs**

Advantages:
 * •the entire class to interact with and discuss the above text
 * •can be used by all of the students simultaneously
 * •students can "chat"
 * •changes made in text are instantaeous
 * •can be used by students separately
 * •can be used during class
 * •can be used at home
 * •can add links

Disadvantages:


 * •all students need access to computers and internet
 * •students may focus on only one facet of the page – such as translation, and ignore the other facets.
 * •Layout of page less flexible/adaptable
 * •Links can lead students to go off topic
 * •Googledocs is new technology for me, so requires significant investment of my time
 * I have not yet figured out how to have an interactive page layout similar I used for the smartboard (with the text in boxes, arranged around the main pasuk), but I assume it can be done

(see above Smartboard layout)
 * Option 3: Wikispaces**

Advantages:
 * •the entire class to interact with and discuss the above text
 * •can be used by all of the students simultaneously
 * •can be used by students separately
 * •can be used during class
 * •can be used at home
 * •flexibility of design and layout
 * •can add links

Disadvantages:
 * •all students need access to computers and internet
 * •students may focus on only one facet of the page – such as translation, and ignore the other facets.
 * •Flexibility can be distracting for some students and lead to chaos
 * •Links can lead students to go off topic
 * •Wikispaces is new technology for me, so requires significant investment of my time
 * Option 4: New Jerusalem Talmud**
 * Option 4: New Jerusalem Talmud**

Advantages:
 * •the entire class to interact with and discuss the above text
 * •can be used by all of the students simultaneously
 * •can be used by students separately
 * •can be used during class
 * •can be used at home
 * •talmud page template gives structure and limits chaos

Disadvantages:
 * •all students need access to computers and internet
 * •students may focus on only one facet of the page – such as translation, and ignore the other facets.
 * •links can lead students to go off topic


 * COMIC MAKING**
 * Option #1:** **Pixton** comic maker

This is another option for interacting with the text. Pixton is a internet resource for the students to create a comic strip.

In the past, I often had my students make comics on premade (paper) comic panels. I gave the students the verses that needed to be covered in their panels. The students would then create a sequence of panels that told the story in their own words. Most students loved this. Some students were anxious about their drawing skills, but I allowed them to work in hevrutot, so they would often paired up so that one would draw and one would write. As the year progressed, all the students became comfortable with the medium and each of the students created their own comics/graphic panels.

In the coming year, I would like to use Pixton in class as an online resource for creating comics/graphic stories.

Advantages:
 * •No drawing necessary – just drag and drop
 * •Drawing is possible for those who want to create custom work
 * •The site rates comics for age appropriateness
 * •Can share comics/stories with others
 * •Students can cooperate on creating comics

Disadvantages:
 * •Learning how to use it can take hours
 * •It can take far longer for beginners to create comic with Pixton than to create on paper
 * •Site sometimes freezes
 * •If students share the same class account, it is possible for students to edit other student's comics without permission
 * •Site is not completely free
 * •Predrawn characters may stifle creativity
 * •Predrawn characters don't allow students to develop fine motor/drawing skills
 * •Student could access comics on the site that are not appropriate for their age


 * Dafna Spear**
 * Technology Reflection**

__**SHOULD TECHNOLOGY BE PART OF THE CLASSROOM IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?**__

I worked for 7 years at a school for children up to grade 3 that didn't use worksheets, workbooks, or even a blackboard. The only time the students saw a computer in my class is when we took it apart and made a sculpture from it! The school's philosophy of learning was that children learn by creating their own learning, and worksheets and workbooks stifled the children's learning. Blackboards were forbidden because they encouraged frontal teaching and suppressed child-directed learning. Computers were not allowed because the school believed that computers actually impaired the child's development of fine motor skills and creativity.

I think that the school's philosophy of instruction is valid and should be taken seriously, especially for the younger grades that I worked in. Nevertheless, I believe that technology can be used in moderation in the elementary classroom without stifling a child's creativity and without impairing their self-directed learning. In fact, if the teacher chooses the technology resources thoughtfully, technology can help develop a child's creativity and support the child's ability to direct their own learning.

As I look forward to teaching next year, I am evaluating technology and deciding which technology, computer programs and internet resources are appropriate in my classroom. In deciding which technology to use in the classroom, I need to keep in mind the overall goals for learning. These goals for elementary students include (1) learning the Jewish texts, (2) interacting with the text, (3) learning how to self-direct their learning, (4) developing their creativity, and (5) improving their fine motor skills.

Some of the technology that I have considered may be developmentally inappropriate for the younger grades. For example, a googledocs simultaneous "discussion" is probably not doable until middle school, at the earliest. Wikispaces can be appropriate for 3rd through 6th, with significant platforming by me to make it accessible to the students, but I would not expect them to create their own Wikipage.

One of my goals as a teacher is for the students to be able to interact with the Jewish texts that we will be learning. In elementary grades, these texts will mainly be Torah, Holidays, and perhaps Mishna.

Although most teachers use the Smartboard as a very expensive projector, I do think that the Smartboard can be used to help students actively interact with the text. For example, on a Smartboard, I can put a line of text in the center of the board and the students can (1)write commentary next to it, (2) write their own translation, (3)refer to stories, tv shows that the line of text reminds them of (4) draw a picture interpreting the line of text.

There are some resources that I am conflicted about using. A good example of my conflict is using Pixton in the classroom to create comics.

On the one hand I believe it could be detrimental to their development of fine motor skills, because instead of improving their fine motor skills by drawing and writing on paper, they will be creating a comic by clicking/dragging and typing. But clicking/dragging and typing also develop fine motor skills, and don't necessarily impede the learning of drawing and writing if the technology is used in moderation.

Nevertheless, Pixton may impede their own creativity, because Pixton has premade characters, props, and backgrounds that they can use instead of creating their own. But one could argue that it may allow them to be more creative by freeing children from any anxiety/frustration they may have that their drawing is not good enough.

Keeping these advantages and disadvantages in mind, I think Pixton is a resource that can be used in moderation in the classroom. I would give the students opportunities to create comics on paper and on Pixton, because I believe that they are two different ways to spark the students creativity and they can both help develop different types of fine motor skills.

Technology is a tool that can be used creatively and productively in the classroom or it can be a complete waste of time. My job as a teacher is to learn about the technology and resources available and to select the ones that will best further my goals for my students.